Handling

Effects of a gentling programme on the behaviour of laboratory rats towards humans

The present study investigated the effects of a gentling programme on the later behaviour of laboratory rats towards humans. For that purpose, 24 female Wistar rats were purchased from a laboratory animal breeding facility at the age of 21 days...

Year Published: 2008Topics: Handling, Human-Animal InteractionAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Maurer, B. M., Doring, D., Scheipl, F. et al. 2008. Effects of a gentling programme on the behaviour of laboratory rats towards humans. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 114, 554-571.

Socialization of Dutch Belted Rabbits for Use in Research

This program includes adaptation to common handling procedures, environmental enrichment devices, and othe materials encountered in the laboratory. .. At seven weeks of age, the rabbits are paired with a partner for two weeks.

Year Published: 2008Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Handling, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Pritt, S., Wood, J., Fetter, B. et al. 2008. Socialization of Dutch Belted Rabbits for Use in Research. Tech Talk [The Newsletter for Laboratory Animal Science Technicians] 13(4), 1-3.

Playful handling mitigates the stressfulness of injections in laboratory rats

Rats can be playfully handled (tickled) in a manner that mimics playful social contact with conspecifics. We hypothesized that the timing of tickling in relation to an intraperitoneal injection would affect the efficacy of tickling in reducing stress associated with...

Year Published: 2010Topics: Drug/Substance Administration, HandlingAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Cloutier, S., Wahl, K., Newberry, R. C. 2010. Playful handling mitigates the stressfulness of injections in laboratory rats. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 721 (Abstract #P126).

Taming anxiety in laboratory mice

Handling experience (which includes routine maintenance) can have positive or negative effects on stress responses that influence experiments, depending on the animals' experience during handling. The most common method used to capture and handle laboratory mice is to pick up...

Year Published: 2010Topics: HandlingAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Hurst, J. L., West, R. S. 2010. Taming anxiety in laboratory mice. Nature Methods 7(10), 825-826.

The COST Manual of Laboratory Animal Care and Use: Refinement, Reduction, and Research (1st Ed)

COST Action B-24 established four working groups to research and discuss issues relevant to laboratory animal science. These included the housing of animals, environmental needs, refinement of procedures, genetically modified animals, and cost-benefit analysis. Based on the groups' findings, The...

Year Published: 2010Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Euthanasia, Handling, Housing, Regulations & Ethical Review, Surgery & Post-OpAnimal Type: Mouse, Rabbit, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Howard, B., Nevalainen, T., Perretta, G. (ed). 2010. The COST Manual of Laboratory Animal Care and Use: Refinement, Reduction, and Research (1st Ed). CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL.

Effects of increased interaction between research rodents and their handlers

We conclude that handling experimental animals more often than only at the time their cage is changes is beneficial.

Year Published: 2010Topics: Handling, Human-Animal InteractionAnimal Type: Mouse, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Stewart, K. 2010. Effects of increased interaction between research rodents and their handlers. Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) Quarterly 59(1) Winter, 28-29.

To squeeze or not to squeeze? A Discussion on LAREF, September, 2009

The discussion was started by the following questions: "Is the squeeze-back mechanism more or less stressful than the pole and collar system for removing a macaque from his cage for an IM (intramuscular) injection?" and "How are stress levels being...

Year Published: 2010Topics: Animal Training, Handling, Human-Animal Interaction, RestraintAnimal Type: Baboon, Capuchin, Chimpanzee, Lemur, Macaque, Marmoset, Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate, Owl Monkey, Squirrel Monkey, Vervet (African Green Monkey)

Citation: Moreau, E. 2010. To squeeze or not to squeeze? A Discussion on LAREF, September, 2009. Laboratory Primate Newsletter 49(2), 3-4.

The use of positive reinforcement during pole and collar training of rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)

The pole and collar method enables safe transfer of a monkey from their home environment to a restraint chair without sedation. The ability to conduct procedures with a conscious and cooperative subject is cost effective, labor saving, promotes animal welfare,...

Year Published: 2010Topics: Animal Training, HandlingAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: McMillan, J. L., Galvan, A., Wichmann, T. et al. 2010. The use of positive reinforcement during pole and collar training of rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 705-706 (Abstract #P78).

A novel approach for utilizing large group-housing style cages for nonhuman primates in toxicology studies

The ability to provide permanent group-housed caging for nonhuman primates involved in toxicology research is quickly becoming an important step in improving the overall quality of life for these animals. This type of caging offers increased vertical space allowing animals...

Year Published: 2010Topics: Handling, Housing, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Baboon, Capuchin, Chimpanzee, Lemur, Macaque, Marmoset, Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate, Owl Monkey, Squirrel Monkey, Vervet (African Green Monkey)

Citation: Egeler, J. L., Hoekwater, S., Hoffman, H. D. 2010. A novel approach for utilizing large group-housing style cages for nonhuman primates in toxicology studies. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 716 (Abstract #P110).

Thinking outside the box in box training

At the Oregon National Primate Research Center, we train animals to enter transfer boxes using positive reinforcement training (PRT), a type of training in which the trainer reinforces desired behaviors (such asentering the transfer box) by rewarding the subject when...

Year Published: 2010Topics: Animal Training, HandlingAnimal Type: Baboon, Capuchin, Chimpanzee, Lemur, Macaque, Marmoset, Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate, Owl Monkey, Squirrel Monkey, Vervet (African Green Monkey)

Citation: Watts, A. 2010. Thinking outside the box in box training. Tech Talk [The Newsletter for Laboratory Animal Science Technicians] 15(2), 3.